Pitch up in Brazil: British expats set up Rio campsite to offer cheap World Cup 'rooms'

Travellers heading to this summer’s World Cup in Brazil have been facing the prospect of paying a fortune for the experience, as hotels and airlines raise charges to sky-high levels.

The planet’s biggest sporting event will run between 12 June and 13 July, with around 600,000 overseas visitors expected to make the trip to South America’s biggest country.

Crowd scene: Rio will be the centre of many itineraries during the World Cup - and hotel prices will reflect this

And there have been widespread fears that the event will be priced beyond the reach of many fans - with hotel rooms retailing at up to 300 per cent of their usual rate in some of the 12 cities involved on the days when important matches are scheduled to be played.

But help is at hand in one corner of Rio de Janeiro, where two British entrepreneurs are setting up a purpose-built campsite for tourists seeking cheaper accommodation.

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Property developers by trade, Andy Allan and Stephen Pike have created this al fresco facility – which will be able to host 800 people at any one time – in Recreio, a western suburb of Brazil’s most famous city. Tents will be available for £35 per night.

The site will also be about more than canvas. It will have 24-hour security, bars and – inevitably – big-screen televisions where supporters can watch the football action.

Allan and Pike hope that the campsite will provide a viable alternative for potential tourists worried both by reports that the 2014 World Cup may be the most expensive ever for fans, and by fears about personal safety.

“We are aware that potential visitors to Brazil could be put off by security concerns,” Allan – who has lived in the country for ten years – told the Evening Standard.

“We chose Recreio because it is considered one of the safest districts in the city, has excellent transport links, and is an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The campsite will offer a chance for fans to sample Brazil's famous atmosphere without paying a fortune

“We feel we have a lot to offer to anyone who wants to come and experience the unique atmosphere of a World Cup in Brazil.

“We are committed to ensuring our pricing is fair and realistic. It is our intention to offer supporters the opportunity to make the trip without having to spend an arm and a leg.”

The site will not be of immediate use to travelling England fans.

The England team’s three group matches will be staged in Manaus (against Italy; 14 June), Sao Paulo (against Uruguay; 19 June) and Belo Horizonte (against Costa Rica; 24 June), and if the side progresses, there is no prospect of playing in Rio until the final.

But the campsite will be able to organise day trips to Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte for tourists seeking to base themselves near the city of Copacabana Beach.

Hotels in Rio have pledged not to charge more than they would for an ‘event’ date such as New Year’s Eve – and Brazilian aviation authorities have agreed to a request to allow almost 2000 extra domestic flights during the tournament to keep up with demand.

But there are still worries that prices will be exorbitant.

TravelMail research last November found examples of flights during the tournament retailing at figures 900 per cent higher than the standard fare rates for popular routes like Sao Paulo to Rio.